Dysfunctional uncles in cinema

Photo by Bruce Birmelin, Miramax Films

By Los Angeles Times Staff Writers What is it with uncles and sketchy vans? Not to mention bad mustaches, questionable careers and lousy wardrobe choices? Sure, some uncles are as reliable as a sunrise. But in the movies, more often than not, they're the creepy family freeloaders, ill-equipped for life. Not only is mom or dad's brother not the go-to guy, the resident uncle is usually best avoided, particularly by impressionable little ones. The latest expert turn in the cinematic canon of bad uncles belongs to Thomas Haden Church left, who costars as Dennis Quaids underachieving bro and Ellen Page's uncle in "Smart People" (opening Friday). The torpid "Wings" star not only joins a long line of uncle ne'er-do-wells, he practically makes all those other actors who have gone before him cry... "Uncle." There, we said it.

By Los Angeles Times Staff Writers What is it with uncles and sketchy vans? Not to mention bad mustaches, questionable careers and lousy wardrobe choices? Sure, some uncles are as reliable as a sunrise. But in the movies, more often than not, they're the creepy family freeloaders, ill-equipped for life. Not only is mom or dad's brother not the go-to guy, the resident uncle is usually best avoided, particularly by impressionable little ones. The latest expert turn in the cinematic canon of bad uncles belongs to Thomas Haden Church left, who costars as Dennis Quaids underachieving bro and Ellen Page's uncle in "Smart People" (opening Friday). The torpid "Wings" star not only joins a long line of uncle ne'er-do-wells, he practically makes all those other actors who have gone before him cry... "Uncle." There, we said it. (Photo by Bruce Birmelin, Miramax Films)

"Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) Uncle: Frank Ginsberg (Steve Carell) 'Uncle Fester' factor: Uncle Frank isnt so much embarrassing as he is pitiful. When the Proust scholars failed suicide lands him back at his sisters (Toni Collette) house, he bunks with his teenage nephew, who resents being put on suicide watch. Okay, it is pretty embarrassing when Uncle Frank runs into his former lover at a gas station while trying to buy porn magazines for his father. Uncle duds: Uncle Frank goes "campus casual" in a white or light-pink button-down shirt, sand-colored khakis, brown lace-up Wallabees and a full beard with dark, depressive circles under the eyes. Say uncle: "If you sleep until you're 18 ... Think of the suffering you're gonna miss. I mean high school? High school -- those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that." S.C.

"Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) Uncle: Frank Ginsberg (Steve Carell) 'Uncle Fester' factor: Uncle Frank isnt so much embarrassing as he is pitiful. When the Proust scholars failed suicide lands him back at his sisters (Toni Collette) house, he bunks with his teenage nephew, who resents being put on suicide watch. Okay, it is pretty embarrassing when Uncle Frank runs into his former lover at a gas station while trying to buy porn magazines for his father. Uncle duds: Uncle Frank goes "campus casual" in a white or light-pink button-down shirt, sand-colored khakis, brown lace-up Wallabees and a full beard with dark, depressive circles under the eyes. Say uncle: "If you sleep until you're 18 ... Think of the suffering you're gonna miss. I mean high school? High school -- those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that." S.C. (Eric Lee / Fox Searchlight Pictures)